Official Speculation Thread ‘17-18’: XVIII: The Long Wait Continues

[OrlandO]

You are correct but it is still frustrating. Why are we always drafting the projects? Gordon, Issac, Mario, Bamba. The two times we added rookies that could contribute right away were Dipo (whom we got impatient with) and Sabonis (who is a key contributor already). 6 freakin' years of this and we still keep adding defensive project players. Can we just add one potentially dynamic offensive player that is fun to watch? Pretty please?

Well we've had two different GM's. I wouldn't want our current GM to not pick a prospect he really likes just because his failed predecessor's drafting habits. Hennigan often talked about wanting long, athletic, versatile defenders that can guard 3+ positions, but he didn't actually do it... Weltman is actually doing it, so I'm going to be patient and see what type of finished product he builds.

That's fair I guess. I just attend a lot of games in person and after 6 years I really want to see some offensive talent. Watching this team in person is torture so I may have a bias for a certain type of player at this point.

I want to see a 20 ppg scorer on this team. Hopefully AG surprises and takes the next step in his development. I would recommend not going to games until you're satisfied with the product you're paying for.

[basketballRob]

Well we've had two different GM's. I wouldn't want our current GM to not pick a prospect he really likes just because his failed predecessor's drafting habits. Hennigan often talked about wanting long, athletic, versatile defenders that can guard 3+ positions, but he didn't actually do it... Weltman is actually doing it, so I'm going to be patient and see what type of finished product he builds.

That's fair I guess. I just attend a lot of games in person and after 6 years I really want to see some offensive talent. Watching this team in person is torture so I may have a bias for a certain type of player at this point.

I want to see a 20 ppg scorer on this team. Hopefully AG surprises and takes the next step in his development. I would recommend not going to games until you're satisfied with the product you're paying for.

Hopefully I get my moneys worth October 2nd for the free practice.

[PennytoShaq]

I cant believe people still try and compare Bamba to Thabeet. Its like a bad meme that wont die.

Yeah.

Thabeet spent 3 years at UConn. In that time he was a shot blocking nightmare from day-1 but little else until his junior year. It took Thabeet 2 full seasons to reach the point where his scoring and rebounding numbers matched what Bamba did straight out of the gates.

Oh, and Thabeet attempted a big fat ZERO 3’s in all three years combined. Bamba attempted 51 in the 30 games he played.

Bamba is WAAAAYY ahead of Thabeet in areas which made Thabeet such a high pick and already shows a more offensive range than Thabeet ever dreamt of.

Horrible comp.

Attempting 3's in game and making them are two different things. My reason for the comp is a guy who is valued for his size and potential yet at no level yet has shown the results to justify building a team around him. Bamba to me is still all potential and I have not seen any actual production from him to justify any confidence at this point. I wish we had not picked him - I know that isn't a popular position at this time but there it is.

Do you know that Bamba averaged more points, blocks and rebounds than Embiid did in their college seasons?

Is 3.7 blocks a game not actual production? How about 10.7 boards or 11 points? I am not sure how you can say you have not seen any actual production from him if you are aware of those numbers. Unless you just want to cast that blanket argument over every single 2018 rookie, since none of them have played one NBA game yet, your argument does not really make much sense.

[YosemiteSam]

Well we've had two different GM's. I wouldn't want our current GM to not pick a prospect he really likes just because his failed predecessor's drafting habits. Hennigan often talked about wanting long, athletic, versatile defenders that can guard 3+ positions, but he didn't actually do it... Weltman is actually doing it, so I'm going to be patient and see what type of finished product he builds.

That's fair I guess. I just attend a lot of games in person and after 6 years I really want to see some offensive talent. Watching this team in person is torture so I may have a bias for a certain type of player at this point.

I want to see a 20 ppg scorer on this team. Hopefully AG surprises and takes the next step in his development. I would recommend not going to games until you're satisfied with the product you're paying for.

That is very good advice. Unfortunately my son loves the team unconditionally and wants to go regardless. Actually, I'm proud of him for that.

[YosemiteSam]

Yeah.

Thabeet spent 3 years at UConn. In that time he was a shot blocking nightmare from day-1 but little else until his junior year. It took Thabeet 2 full seasons to reach the point where his scoring and rebounding numbers matched what Bamba did straight out of the gates.

Oh, and Thabeet attempted a big fat ZERO 3’s in all three years combined. Bamba attempted 51 in the 30 games he played.

Bamba is WAAAAYY ahead of Thabeet in areas which made Thabeet such a high pick and already shows a more offensive range than Thabeet ever dreamt of.

Horrible comp.

Attempting 3's in game and making them are two different things. My reason for the comp is a guy who is valued for his size and potential yet at no level yet has shown the results to justify building a team around him. Bamba to me is still all potential and I have not seen any actual production from him to justify any confidence at this point. I wish we had not picked him - I know that isn't a popular position at this time but there it is.

Do you know that Bamba averaged more points, blocks and rebounds than Embiid did in their college seasons?

Is 3.7 blocks a game not actual production? How about 10.7 boards or 11 points? I am not sure how you can say you have not seen any actual production from him if you are aware of those numbers. Unless you just want to cast that blanket argument over every single 2018 rookie, since none of them have played one NBA game yet, your argument does not really make much sense.

Full disclosure I wasn't going to be happy with any draft choice that focused on defense/rebounding. You are right he delivered stats in blocks/rebounds, etc. I wanted us to go after someone who scored 18+ or has the potential to in year one. I'm also very frustrated we have another coach preaching defense first. Hate watching that kind of ball and wish my team that I've rooted for for years was not a team following that path. All the recent comments from Clifford about patience with Bamba just triggered me is all.

[PennytoShaq]

Attempting 3's in game and making them are two different things. My reason for the comp is a guy who is valued for his size and potential yet at no level yet has shown the results to justify building a team around him. Bamba to me is still all potential and I have not seen any actual production from him to justify any confidence at this point. I wish we had not picked him - I know that isn't a popular position at this time but there it is.

Do you know that Bamba averaged more points, blocks and rebounds than Embiid did in their college seasons?

Is 3.7 blocks a game not actual production? How about 10.7 boards or 11 points? I am not sure how you can say you have not seen any actual production from him if you are aware of those numbers. Unless you just want to cast that blanket argument over every single 2018 rookie, since none of them have played one NBA game yet, your argument does not really make much sense.

Full disclosure I wasn't going to be happy with any draft choice that focused on defense/rebounding. You are right he delivered stats in blocks/rebounds, etc. I wanted us to go after someone who scored 18+ or has the potential to in year one. I'm also very frustrated we have another coach preaching defense first. Hate watching that kind of ball and wish my team that I've rooted for for years was not a team following that path. All the recent comments from Clifford about patience with Bamba just triggered me is all.

I wanted scoring too but the only guys who can possibly give that were young and doncic and thats not even a given. There is just not a scorer in the lottery where we picked that was worth taking a shot on.

If we had gotten young i can about guarantee clifford would have said the same thing too. Young does not have an nba body yet and appears to be a work in progress as well.

[Knightro]

Bamba's going to play.

Some nights he maybe will only play 10-12 minutes. Other nights he might play 20-25. But he's going to see time.

And either this year if Vucevic is moved at the deadline or next year when he likely moves on in free agency, Mo will become the starter.

This handwringing that's already going down because he's not going to be force fed 35 minutes a night from day 1 is just goofy.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Bamba's going to play.

Some nights he maybe will only play 10-12 minutes. Other nights he might play 20-25. But he's going to see time.

And either this year if Vucevic is moved at the deadline or next year when he likely moves on in free agency, Mo will become the starter.

This handwringing that's already going down because he's not going to be force fed 35 minutes a night from day 1 is just goofy.

I feel much much better with Bamba manning that spot than with Biz who I knew from day one wasn't an upgrade at center. But I agree some people in here set these huge expectations out of the gate as if they've never watched NBA basketball before. He's going to get minutes this season and if he plays well, they can move nik and platoon the center position with Mo and Birch. Totally fine with that.

[yoyojw17]

Do you know that Bamba averaged more points, blocks and rebounds than Embiid did in their college seasons?

Is 3.7 blocks a game not actual production? How about 10.7 boards or 11 points? I am not sure how you can say you have not seen any actual production from him if you are aware of those numbers. Unless you just want to cast that blanket argument over every single 2018 rookie, since none of them have played one NBA game yet, your argument does not really make much sense.

Full disclosure I wasn't going to be happy with any draft choice that focused on defense/rebounding. You are right he delivered stats in blocks/rebounds, etc. I wanted us to go after someone who scored 18+ or has the potential to in year one. I'm also very frustrated we have another coach preaching defense first. Hate watching that kind of ball and wish my team that I've rooted for for years was not a team following that path. All the recent comments from Clifford about patience with Bamba just triggered me is all.

I wanted scoring too but the only guys who can possibly give that were young and doncic and thats not even a given. There is just not a scorer in the lottery where we picked that was worth taking a shot on.

If we had gotten young i can about guarantee clifford would have said the same thing too. Young does not have an nba body yet and appears to be a work in progress as well.

Agreed... Doncic was my no.1 ... with ayton no 2 with the hopes that his effort was just due to playing against talent that was not to the level that challenged him.... after that... was bamba.

[rcklsscognition]

Is training camp over already? Time flies when you're old.

[OrlandO]

``When you meet with the (Magic) players, (Vucevic) is the one that they all want to be on the floor with,’’ Clifford added. ``It doesn’t matter which guys you talk about, but they all want to play with him because his decision-making. He’s just a very good player.’’

Not surprised.

[Furinkazan]

``When you meet with the (Magic) players, (Vucevic) is the one that they all want to be on the floor with,’’ Clifford added. ``It doesn’t matter which guys you talk about, but they all want to play with him because his decision-making. He’s just a very good player.’’

Not surprised.

[J the Drafter]

Actually there were 1 or 2 detailed articles that broke down the metrics and they all said the same thing - DJ Augustine was a dramatically better player for us than Elfrid.
It’s not about a bad stretch. It is about Elfrid being woeful at depending the pick and roll, PLUS horrible shooting PLUS very inconsistent effort each night.

That type of play does not work in the NBA. DJ is an elite shooter and gives a consistent effort. For us right now, 2/3 is not bad.

There was a part of last year where Payton’s effectiveness fell off significantly; when he was putting up single digits in both points and assists. Payton usually has modest point totals with strong assist numbers. He’s typically compensated for underwhelming shooting with strong driving ability. Even his defense last season was only terrible in his bad stretch. D.J. Is a fine player, but it’s inaccurate to regard him as better than a healthy Payton.

No its not. There was literally pages of statistical evidence pointing to DJ being the better player. Either way theyre both back up pgs.

Also nobody should be surprised that Cliffords coaching style reminds Evan of Skiles, the last coach to have some semblence of success.

Sent from my VS501 using RealGM mobile app

I know there was evidence aimed at Payton’s bad span of play. I’m just saying that using that the latter half of last season as a way to judge Payton’s career and value as a player is selling him short. No matter how much certain people here don’t like him as a player.

[OrlandO]

``When you meet with the (Magic) players, (Vucevic) is the one that they all want to be on the floor with,’’ Clifford added. ``It doesn’t matter which guys you talk about, but they all want to play with him because his decision-making. He’s just a very good player.’’

Not surprised.

Yes, I'm sure the truth does hurt for his haters...

[MagicStarwipe]

Not surprised.

Yes, I'm sure the truth does hurt for his haters...

I love when he "decides" to let guys lay it up in his face without so much as a challenge. And when he "decides" it's too hard getting good post position so he'll just post up from 20 feet away.

Proud Vuc hater since 2016.

Or maybe 2015. Can't remember.

[VFX]

``When you meet with the (Magic) players, (Vucevic) is the one that they all want to be on the floor with,’’ Clifford added. ``It doesn’t matter which guys you talk about, but they all want to play with him because his decision-making. He’s just a very good player.’’

Not surprised.

[Optimus_Steel]

That's fair I guess. I just attend a lot of games in person and after 6 years I really want to see some offensive talent. Watching this team in person is torture so I may have a bias for a certain type of player at this point.

I want to see a 20 ppg scorer on this team. Hopefully AG surprises and takes the next step in his development. I would recommend not going to games until you're satisfied with the product you're paying for.

That is very good advice. Unfortunately my son loves the team unconditionally and wants to go regardless. Actually, I'm proud of him for that.

I think your kid needs a psychologist. Sounds like he is suffering from Stockholm syndrome. Willingly seating thru torturous basketball. I need one too, maybe we can get a Magic group discount?

[Optimus_Steel]

Mikael Bridges looked impressive in debut.

[SOUL]

Mikael Bridges looked impressive in debut.

Miles you mean?

[RookieStar]

wow preseason games are here? when are we playing? anyone maade a GT already?